Miguel Cardoso secures win against former employers, Esperance
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso secured a 1-0 win against his former employers, Esperance, in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals at Loftus Versfield Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Masandawana came into this clash with a record that doesn’t look good against the Tunisian giants. In the last eight meetings that Sundowns played with Esperance, the Tshwane side managed to secure three draws, lose four, and win one match.
The 52-year-old coach, Cardoso, was on the bench when Esperance broke the hearts of the Bafana Ba Style fans when the Tunisian side beat his current club 1-0 on aggregate in the last campaign’s semifinals of the Champions League.
In addition, the Tunisian club has had two coaches since Cardoso’s departure to the Brazilians.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS AND ESPERANCE GOALLESS AT HALFTIME
In the first half, Sundowns looked to be the better side and had control of the game with an 84% ball possession before the interval. However, both teams went into the break with a 0-0 scoreline.
Cardoso’s troops returned with the same determination in the second half, threatening the visitors’ goal several times in hopes of breaking the deadlock.
In the 54th minute of the showpiece, Namibian international Peter Shalulile finally found the back of the net to grant Sundowns the lead.
Shalulile’s solo goal was enough to give Sundowns an advantage going into the second leg tie away from home.
The second leg between the two teams will be played next week on Tuesday, 8 April 2025. The fixture will take place at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Tunisia, with the kick-off set for 21:00.
The winner of the second leg will book a place in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League and have a chance to advance to the finals.
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